Government seeks to require certification for personal trainers

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government plans to introduce standards for fitness coaches.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Karen Giloyan presented a bill to lawmakers on Wednesday.

He said that uncertified personal trainers pose a risk.

“Today this area is out of control. Most of the gyms hire those who don’t have any right to work with people, to improve or recover their health. There are many cases when they do the opposite, handicapping people with wrong training. They go to the gym several times, shape their physique and decide that they can work [as trainers]. This is naturally wrong, and this can’t go on. Fitness trainers should have international certificates, and indeed we have such in Armenia,” he said.

An expert team is working on the bill, and it will be further improved after the first reading in parliament, he added.